Reginald G. Porter

Boonville - Reginald G. Porter, 74, of Belle Isles Place, better known as "Reggie", passed away on December 31, 2009 at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Boonville after a brief illness. A native of Waterville, ME he was born on April 29, 1935 to Fred and Doris (Pooler) Porter. Reggie grew up in Waterville, where he graduated from high school with the Class of 1953. While in high school he greatly enjoyed participating in football, hockey, and baseball. In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving stateside and abroad during the Korean Conflict Era. He was honorably discharged on September 1, 1957. Following his service to his country, Mr. Porter attended Thomas Junior College of Waterville, where he earned an Associates Degree in Education in 1962. He continued his college education at the University of Maine, and earned a Bachelors Degree in 1963 which allowed him to teach high school business courses. On November 23, 1957, Reginald was united in marriage with Marie Louse Gagne in Waterville. This was a blessed and happy marriage which lasted for over 52 years. Mr. Porter and his family moved to Boonville in 1963, and he began his long and dedicated career as a high school business subjects teacher at the former Boonville Central School, eventually retiring from Adirondack High School in 1994. During his teaching career he was also a very dedicated athletic coach, serving as varsity football assistant coach, modified football head coach, freshmen boys and JV basketball coach, modified and JV baseball coach and girls basketball team coach. Under his direction, the 1991 girls basketball team advanced to play in the Final Four Girls Basketball Tournament held in Glens Falls, NY. During the summer months, he was active coaching the Knights of Columbus Little League and the Charles J. Love Post American Legion baseball teams. The passions of his life were his wife, family and his teaching career. He always had the best interests and education of his students as his goal, and made a great effort to give each student or athlete his special attention. After Reggie "retired" from teaching, he became the '#1' substitute teacher for grades 7-12 in the Adirondack School District, teaching nearly every day until the spring of 2009. Reggie was a life long avid fan of all Boston professional sports teams, especially the Red Sox. He enjoyed fishing, especially for bass and pike on Lake Ontario. He and his wife enjoyed boating on the Fulton Chain of Lakes, in and around the Old Forge area. He attended St. Joseph's Church, Boonville, and was a member of Boonville Council Knights of Columbus and the Charles J. Love Post American Legion. For many years he served as Treasurer for the Boonville-Oneida Co. Fair, and was a substitute Librarian at Erwin Library in Boonville. In addition to his wife, Marie Louise, Reggie is survived by two sons, Steven G. and his wife, Carol of Remsen, and Scott R. of Boonville; four grandchildren, Brad, Eric, Tyler and Taylor; a sister, Joan (Paquette) Gagnon of Winslow, ME; an aunt, Gerry Cote and a cousin, Doug Cote, and his wife, Barb, all of Quakertown, PA; nineteen nieces and nephews; and several cousins. He was predeceased by his mother in 1976, and his father. Services will be private at the convenience of the family at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville. Interment in the spring will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Boonville. There are no calling hours. Flowers are gratefully declined. Please consider contributions in Reggie's memory to a memorial scholarship fund to be established at Adirondack Central School, c/o Business Office, 110 Ford Street, Boonville, NY 13309.